🐟Fish Import Regulations Under Marine Mammal Protection Act
Under the authority of the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), the NMFS Assistant Administrator for Fisheries (Assistant Administrator) announces comparability finding determinations for all fisheries on the List of Foreign Fisheries (LOFF) for harvesting nations that export fish and fish products to the United States. Nations whose fisheries were denied comparability findings will be prohibited from importing fish and fish products from those fisheries into the United States beginning January 1, 2026. Until such time as the import restrictions imposed by this action are lifted or revised, trade restrictions on these products associated with the fisheries for which a comparability finding has been denied will continue and Certification of Admissibility will be required.
Learn More🐬Incidental Take Authorization for Kingston Ferry Terminal Project
In accordance with regulations implementing the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) as amended, notification is hereby given that NMFS has issued an incidental harassment authorization (IHA) to Washington Department of Transportation (WSDOT) for authorization to take marine mammals incidental to harass marine mammals during construction activities associated with a Kingston Ferry Terminal project in Kingston, WA.
Learn More🐋NMFS Issues Incidental Take Authorization for Alaska Ferry Terminal Project
In accordance with regulations implementing the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) as amended, notification is hereby given that NMFS has issued three incidental harassment authorizations (IHAs) to the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (ADOT&PF) for authorization to take marine mammals incidental to the Prince William Sound Ferry Terminal Improvement Projects (PWS Projects) in Cordova, Chenega, and Tatitlek, Alaska.
Learn More🐬IHA for Oregon's Marine Mammal Impact from Construction Project
NMFS has received a request from the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) for authorization to take marine mammals incidental to construction activities for the Yaquina Bay Dolphin Replacement Project in Newport, Oregon. Pursuant to the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), NMFS is requesting comments on its proposal to issue an incidental harassment authorization (IHA) to incidentally take marine mammals during the specified activities. NMFS is also requesting comments on a possible one-time, 1-year renewal that could be issued under certain circumstances and if all requirements are met, as described in Request for Public Comments at the end of this notice. NMFS will consider public comments prior to making any final decision on the issuance of the requested MMPA authorization and agency responses will be summarized in the final notice of our decision.
Learn More🐬Shell's LOA Modification Affects Marine Mammal Take Regulations
In accordance with the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), as amended, its implementing regulations, and NMFS' MMPA regulations for taking marine mammals incidental to geophysical surveys related to oil and gas activities in the Gulf of America (GOA), originally published as Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to Geophysical Surveys Related to Oil and Gas Activities in the Gulf of Mexico, notification is hereby given that NMFS has modified the expiration date of a Letter of Authorization (LOA) issued to Shell Offshore Inc. (Shell) for the taking of marine mammals incidental to geophysical survey activity in the GOA.
Learn More🐬Business Impacts of Marine Mammal Regulations for Lubec Harbor Project
In accordance with the regulations implementing the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) as amended, notification is hereby given that NMFS has issued an incidental harassment authorization (IHA) to the Maine Department of Transportation (ME DOT) to incidentally harass marine mammals during construction activities associated with the Lubec Harbor project in Lubec, Maine.
Learn More🌊Notice on Taking Marine Mammals for Oil and Gas Activities
In accordance with the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), as amended, its implementing regulations, and NMFS' MMPA regulations for taking marine mammals incidental to geophysical surveys related to oil and gas activities in the Gulf of America, originally published as "Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to Geophysical Surveys Related to Oil and Gas Activities in the Gulf of Mexico," notification is hereby given that NMFS has modified the Letter of Authorization (LOA) issued to WesternGeco for the take of marine mammals incidental to geophysical survey activity in the Gulf of America (GOA).
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